Key Concepts
The theoretical approach of Gestalt Therapy
What is Humanistic-Existential?
Client sits with an empty chair and talks to it as if it is a person
What is the Empty Chair technique?
Refers to the fake/inauthentic way that people interact with others
What is the phony layer?
Viewed as expert of their own lives
Who is the client?
Recognizing people’s perceptions of a situation can vary widely;
What is Phenomenological?
Use of language to encourage ownership of feelings and thoughts
What are "I" statements?
Client allows themselves to come into contact with feelings they may have previously pushed away
What is the implosive layer?
Serve as facilitators of growth, does not urge or persuade, encourages self-discovery
Who is the counselor?
People must be seen in the context of their environment
What is Field Theory?
Involves the client putting feelings or thoughts into action
What are enactments?
Fear of revealing real identity, so resist seeing true self
Willingness to truly know the other person as they are, willingness to be transparent
What is the I-Thou Relationship?
A term describing a client's avoidance of painful feelings or thoughts
What is resistance?
Techniques used to accomplish a purpose relevant to the client - usually planned beforehand
What are exercises?
Client appears stuck and unable to meet counseling goals
What is the impasse layer?
Focused on caring confrontations rather than powerful role
What is a collaborative relationship?
Where ideas, beliefs, attitudes or other negative aspects from our environment are taken in without question.
What is introjection?
Viewed as the "royal road" to integration
What are dreams?
Client reacts authentically and strongly express their emotions and feelings
What is the explosive layer?
Counselor shares observations, preferences, feelings, personal experiences, and thoughts with client, helps client recognize how they show up in contact with others
What is mutual authenticity?